Introduction
Honorary doctorates have become increasingly visible, especially through digital convocations hosted by universities that recognize lifetime contributions. But along with visibility comes confusion. Some people mistakenly believe that an honorary doctorate is the same as an earned PhD or that it is meant to be used in academic admissions or teaching posts. Others unfairly dismiss it as fake just because it doesn’t follow the traditional academic route.
This misunderstanding needs to be cleared. An honorary doctorate is not an academic qualification. It is a formal award — a recognition of life achievements, social impact, or creative excellence. It is not earned through exams or research, but neither is it randomly given. It is structured, thoughtful, and symbolic. And its purpose is entirely different from that of a regular degree.
Understanding the Nature of Honorary Awards
Honorary doctorates are conferred honoris causa — Latin for “for the sake of honour.” This means:
- They are awards, not degrees obtained through coursework or thesis
- They do not qualify someone for teaching at a university or applying for academic admissions
- They are meant to celebrate a person’s real-life contribution, not test their academic capability
This is similar to how countries give Padma Shri or Bharat Ratna — not because someone filled an exam form, but because they lived a life of value. Similarly, an honorary doctorate respects that value, even if it’s not tied to an academic department.
A Symbol of Recognition, Not a Tool for Admission
No ethical university — whether digital or traditional — will tell someone to use an honorary doctorate to apply for an MPhil or PhD. And rightly so. Honorary titles are meant to:
- Add prestige and pride to a CV, especially under an “Honours and Awards” section
- Be used socially and ceremonially (e.g., on visiting cards or speaker profiles)
- Recognize community impact, innovation, leadership, or humanitarian service
This makes it different from a professional or academic qualification. A trainer may be called “Dr (Honorary)” in public settings, but they must never use it to claim research expertise or academic credits. That distinction is what maintains the honour’s dignity.
When Institutions Are Transparent, Respect Grows
Digital universities like Cambridge Digital University and Euro Asian University clearly explain that their honorary doctorates:
- Are symbolic recognitions, not earned PhDs
- Must be listed clearly as “Honorary” in usage
- Are supported by a structured nomination, verification, and citation process
- Do not entitle holders to academic privileges such as teaching positions or admissions
This transparency ensures that the public is not misled — and that the recipients feel proud, not defensive.
Why Misunderstandings Happen
The confusion around honorary doctorates usually comes from:
- Misleading content on platforms like YouTube
- People using the title without clarification
- Fake degree sellers who use the term “honorary” to hide unethical practices
- A general lack of awareness in society about awards versus qualifications
But the solution is not to reject honorary doctorates altogether — it is to educate the public on their proper meaning and respectful use.
Real Impact Deserves Real Honour
Imagine a man who has taught street children for 30 years without ever asking for money. Or a woman who has preserved folk songs and culture in a tribal belt. Or a spiritual teacher who has built a path of healing for thousands.
Do they need to write a thesis to be recognized? No.
Honorary doctorates allow universities to acknowledge such people, whose contribution is deep and real, even if not academic. That recognition matters to them, to their families, to their communities — and to society at large.
Why Honorary Does Not Mean “Fake”
Just because something is honorary does not make it false. It simply means:
- It is not academic in nature, but cultural or social
- It is based on life’s work, not syllabus
- It carries ceremonial respect, not formal academic rights
No one calls a lifetime achievement award “fake” just because it wasn’t tested in a lab. Similarly, calling honorary doctorates fake is both incorrect and disrespectful to the honourees.
A Guide for Responsible Usage
Recipients of honorary doctorates are encouraged to:
- Use the prefix “Dr (Honorary)” or clearly mention “Honorary Doctorate” in bios
- Include it under “Honours & Awards” in resumes
- Mention the university and year of recognition
- Avoid using the title in academic settings unless invited to speak in an honorary capacity
This approach maintains clarity and honour — and protects both the recipient and the issuing institution from misuse.
Conclusion
An honorary doctorate is not an academic qualification — and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. It honours the unstructured, the unsung, the socially impactful. It’s not for classrooms, it’s for life stories. It doesn’t sit in a university’s register — it sits in the hearts of families and communities who finally see one of their own recognised.
When the process is transparent, the honour sincere, and the use responsible, there is nothing fake or misleading about an honorary doctorate. It is an award — and like all meaningful awards, it carries respect that cannot be measured by syllabus or marks.
Let’s start seeing it for what it is — not what critics mistake it to be.